Giraffes being fed by visitors |
|
| Date opened | 1973 |
|---|---|
| Location | Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire, England |
| Number of species | 165 |
| Memberships | BIAZA,[1] EAZA[2] |
| Website | West Midland Safari Park |
West Midland Safari and Leisure Park is a safari park located in Bewdley in Worcestershire, England. It was opened in 1973.
The park holds over 165 species of exotic animals. The 4-mile (6.4 km) safari contains about 600 animals from around 30 different species from Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Along with the 4 mile-safari is a large amusement park is a 'Discovery Trail' including reptile and insect houses. There is also access to Spring Grove House, the grounds of which the park is built in.
The park is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The wolf enclosure in the safari is a heathland Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The park contains the largest pride of White Lions, and the largest walk-through lemur exhibit in the UK.
Contents |
The 4-mile safari contains offers visitors the chance to come face-to-face with around 30 species of exotic animals. There is also the opportunity to feed some of the animals, with special food that can be bought on entry to the park.
Discovery Trail consists of mostly indoor exhibits, and includes animal encounters throughout the day where staff allows visitors to get up close and personal to animals found in the Discovery Trail.[5]
The park's California Sea Lions show off their tricks in a 525 seat theatre.
Staff allow visitors to get up close and personal to animals found in the Discovery Trail.
The park's insect house, which includes Goliath Bird-Eater Spiders, Leafcutter Ants, Locusts, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and Scorpions amongst many other creepy crawlies.
The Twilight Cave is a walk-through exhibit, containing free-flying bats. There is also a small exhibit featuring other nocturnal habitats in the Twilight Cave. Animals found in the Twilight Cave include Aye-Aye, Malagasy Giant Rat, Rodrigues Flying Fox, and Seba's Short-Tailed Bat.
The park's aquarium which includes Chocolate Chip Stars, Piranhas and Stone Fish, amongst many other species of fish.
The park's reptile house, which includes Boas, Cobras, Crocodiles, Dart Frogs, Pythons, Rattlesnakes, Snapping Turtles and Vipers amongst many other reptiles and amphibians.
The hippo lakes can be viewed from above via the viewing platform, allowing you to see the largest family group of hippos in the UK. The species found at the park are the Common Hippopotamus.
Situated in the Discovery Trail, this exhibit shows off the park's Humboldt Penguins. The exhibit contains a semi-submerged beach, pool, sculptures, penguin house and public viewing areas.
The African Village is an interactive walk-through area, allowing visitors to see African village wildlife and a replica African Village Home. The African Village contains a walk-through area containing Cameroon Sheep, Pygmy Goats and Somali Sheep.
In the wooded area towards the rear of the amusement park can be found the largest walk-through lemur exhibit in the UK. The lemurs are free to roam around the walkway and the woods, making this an interactive experience for visitors. There are three species of lemur on display in the woods:
Also included in this exhibit is a group of Meerkats. Visitors are able to see them up close as they explore their surroundings.
There are many rides and attractions found in the amusement park. Wristbands can be bought from the kiosk to allow an unlimited number of rides. However, tickets are also available for purchase for individual rides.[7]
Cubs Kingdom contains seven rides and attractions for young children to use. These are:
These rides are designed for the whole family, from youngsters to the elderly.
For the thrillseekers, these rides are not for the faint-hearted.
Found throughout the amusement area are many eateries. These include cafes, such as Explorer's Cafe, fast food restaurants, such as Botswana Burger Company and food stalls that are dotted around the rides.
There are a number of gift shops found in the amusement area, and these sell a number of products, from guide books to soft toys.
A 15 in (381 mm) narrow gauge railway runs between the main car park and the amusement area. Services are operated by a 2-8-0 steam outline diesel locomotive, built by Severn Lamb in 1979. The engine usually runs chimney first to the amusement area, running tender first on the return trip. This railway, when operating, provides a scenic ride between the amusement area and the car park. The track makes its way along the back of the walkways and crosses access-roads via level crossings. The line then rounds the Hippo enclosure before arriving at its terminus adjacent to the African Big Apple Coaster.
The park contains many animals that are on the IUCN's endangered list. These animals include Anoa, Visayan Spotted Deer, Wild Water Buffalo, Bengal Tiger, African Wild Dog, Banteng and Malagasy Giant Rat . The park also holds the critically endangered Addax, Bactrian Camel and Rodrigues Flying Fox. The Père David's Deer is also housed at the park, and this species is extinct in the wild.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||